IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – The Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) continues to disintegrate as troops of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion and 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, Philippine Army were able to neutralize two CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and capture two others in a recent encounter at the hinterlands of Sitio Lamana, Barangay Kibalabag, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last January 29, 2022.
The soldiers were responding to reports of the presence of the CNTs when the firefight ensued against five members of Headquarters Force Neo, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (HQF Neo, NCMRC). Afterward, government troops were able to recover two CNT cadavers identified as Alias Draw, member of dismantled squad 1, Platoon Dario, Sub-Regional Committee 2, NCMRC; and Alias Paet, Communication Staff/Special Operations Group/Intel of Regional Operations Command, NCMRC, and captured two CNTs namely; Nisy Sante Alias Arnold, 72 years old, Supply Officer, Squad 1, Regional Sentro De Gravedad (RSDG) Compaq, NCMRC; and Gelloye Lipanya Sagula Alias Janjan, 20 years old, member, Squad 2, Team Abe of the same unit. Three caliber 45 pistols, one 9mm pistol, five magazines, one cellphone, and medical supplies were also seized at the encounter site.
Further, upon searching the area, troops were also able to rescue seven civilians including four minors namely: Alias Jecko, 30 years old, and his son Alias Gerald, 11 years old, Alias Raffy, 28 years old, his wife Alias Jennifer, 24 years old, and their children Jepoy, 5 years old, Junray, 3 years old, and Shantal 1-year old.
LTC Anthony Bacus, Commander 8IB said, “Nasalbar nato ang mga sibilyan nga gihadlok og gipangilkilan sa mga Teroristang NPA. Giadtuan sila sa ilang umahan og ginapangayoan sila og mga tanum nga gulay. Sa dihang nakit-an sa mga NPA ang atong personahe og ila kining gipabuthan.” (We rescued the civilians who were threatened and extorted by the NPA Terrorists. They were approached at their farm and the CNTs extorted vegetables from them and when they saw the soldiers approaching, they immediately fired.)
“Karon among ginahulat ang pamilya sa mga namatay nga CNTs aron sila hingpit nang mapahiluna. Kami nasubo sa nadangatan nila tungod sa pagpanglinla sa Teroristang NPA. Tungod niiini, padayun ang among panawagan sa nahibilin pang mga CNT nga mosurrender na ug pahimuslan ang Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) tungod sayang ang kinabuhi,” Bacus added. (We are waiting for the family members of the dead CNTs in order for them to finally rest in peace. We are saddened of their demise and it is because of the deception of the NPA Terrorists. We continue our call to the remaining CNTs to surrender and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) because life is precious.)
BGen Ferdinand Barandon, the Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade also expressed, “I congratulate the troops of the 2nd SRB and the 8IB for your recent accomplishment as we continue ending the local insurgency in our area of responsibility. We also thank the residents who reported the presence of the CNTs which led us into stopping their terroristic activities against the innocent people of Bukidnon.”
